This year spring break fell the week before Easter (Holy Week). I only had a couple days off work but we made the most of it. We visited St Augustine, FL for the first time and what a wonderful trip we had in the oldest city in the nation!! We drove down Saturday and spent the afternoon walking through town, admiring the beautiful architecture, caught dinner at Pizza Ally, and then checked into our VRBO. On Sunday (Palm Sunday) Uncle Randy and Aunt Bernie drove up to meet us for mass at the Cathedral Basilica - the oldest Catholic parish in the US. It was so special and beautiful to celebrate Palm Sunday mass there, complete with a historical procession by the Bishop and followed by the annual blessing of the fleet. We were treated to Kilwin's and special T shirts thanks to Uncle Randy and Aunt Bernie, and then toured the Castillo de San Marcos with them. We finished our day up with an amazing dinner at The Columbian. On Monday we went fishing off the St John's County Pier and caught several small fish. Then we headed to Anastasia State Park to enjoy the lovely beach there. Tuesday morning we visited the Fountain of Youth and the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, before driving back home. This trip was such a great mix of history, education, faith celebration, beach, and relaxing family time, it was just what we needed!
The Cathedral Basilica is the oldest parish in the U.S. dating back to 1565
Family members who can trace their lineage back to the original settlers in the 1500's dress up in period attire and are part of the Palm Sunday procession.
Following mass, the Bishop leads the procession and the entire church full of people, down the street to the docks where countless boats, commercial and pleasure, were lined up ready to drive by for a "Blessing of the Fleet." This is a historical ceremony dating back to the city's earliest
Spanish colonial days. We watched for over an hour at the bishop blessed the continuous line of boats, coming through, from tiny motor boats to large yachts, and they were still lined up at far as the eye could see!
Entering the Castillo de San Marcos - a National Monument now - it is a fort originally built by the Spanish that traded hands to the English and eventually to the US. It has been used for over 350 years and was never captured in battle. It is the oldest masonry fort in the US.
Samuel earned his Junior Ranger badge here!
We learned all about weaponry through the ages
The walls of the fort are made out of Coquina - a stone made from crushed seashells!
We watched these guys fire off the cannons!
Dinner at The Columbian - what a special way to celebrate Shawn's birthday!
We ended the night with s'mores the back yard of our VRBO
Flagler College - beautiful architecture!
We caught lots of these little white fish off the pier.
LOVED Anastasia State park beach!!
Our visit to the Fountain of Youth ended up being a really neat historical education on the explorers who navigated their way to the Americas and the early life they led here. We also LOVED how there were peacocks wandering all over the property - every where you looked - we've never seen anything like it!
Drinking from the fountain of youth :-)
At the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, this rustic alter commemorates the first mass of Thanksgiving offered here when the Spanish explorers first landed.
Thank you God for a wonderful family trip!!
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